Dahlink, that boa looks simply divine!

It's a theme party, so you better look the part

It's a theme party, so you better look the part

Photograph by: Steve Bosch/Vancouver Sun
, Weekend Post

Once upon a time, the measure of a party's fabulousness was determined by the quality (and quantity) of drinks and hors d'oeuvres. But these days, it seems, that's not enough. According to professional party planners, now you must also have a theme. And, of course, once a theme has been chosen, you simply have to have props.

"A theme helps keep you focused when planning an event," says Trina Hendry, corporate director of public relations, Metropolitan Hotels, who recently staged a "Shining Stars" party at Toronto's SoHo Met. "So, decisions about propping -- decor, menu, music and entertainment -- are easy to make." A theme party, Hendry says, "is a great way to engage your guests."

All of which explains why Sheri Gamble, a partner at Details Event Coordination, created a prop table, piled high with everything from top hats and tiaras to feather boas and flashy rings, for the National Post's ninth anniversary party recently. Guests were invited to help themselves to the various props, as the party's theme was "Dressed to the Nines."

All this talk about props got us thinking: We really should be propping ourselves for every party we attend, especially at this time of the year.

"Absolutely," says Ann Layton, president of the PR company Siren Communications. "Each Christmas event requires careful thought. For the recent opening of the new boutique Hazel, I wore a simple black Moschino dress with Manolo Blahnik heels, but then went big on the makeup. I had Geoffrey Graveline, the makeup artist for Canadian Idol, do my makeup, which was in and of itself a prop. The final touch was my grandmother's mink coat, in keeping with the luxe feel of the night."

Cynthia Cully, of Agent-C Talent Management, is propping her party look with jumbo Lucite bangles filled with silver glimmer. "They're under $10 at H&M! I'm wearing one on each wrist, either alone or over long, black gloves." Cully was spotted sporting the sparklers at the SoHo Met fete. Like Layton, she believes that professional hair and makeup is a necessary prop. "The makeup artist Randy Chartrand did my look before the party," she says. "And then I brought him with me." Talk about the ultimate prop!

"People need to dress for the holidays, to get into the spirit of celebrating," says Barbara At-kin, VP of fashion direction at Holt Renfrew. "This season, it's about feathers. This is the time to bring out the Dark Angel within. A fast way of updating your look for the holidays is to add feathers to your hair or a feather boa around your neck -- for drama. Also, you can't add too much bling at this time of year, so add multiple bangles to both wrists or wrap your neck in this season's beaded scarf. Finish the look with the highest heel you can find-- the best ones are in metallic."

"Metallics, silver and sparkle are very hot," agrees Gamble. "And long sassy gloves make the look a little different. Wear costume jewellery, like glittery bracelets, over the gloves."

Layton recently threw her own holiday fete, which she co-hosted at Pravda restaurant in Toronto. "Our theme is Dr. Zhivago," she said a few days before the event. "Everything is Russian-themed. Food (caviar, smoked salmon), drink (premium vodkas) and decor (ice sculptures). The dress code is all about bold reds, fur and leather. One of my co-hosts is planning on dressing as a Russian Doll. I'll be in a purple Dolce & Gabanna dress with a huge fur shrug from Corbo Boutique. My makeup will be big eyes, a la Lara in Dr. Zhivago. All my co-hosts will be propped for the party."

Styling the party-goers does more than provide eye candy. It also helps break the ice, and gets guests into the spirit.

"It's impossible to be stiff or reserved when you're wearing a six-foot feather boa," says Christopher Butcher, manager of the bookstore, The Beguiling. When he and his partner, Andrew Woodrow-Butcher, were planning their wedding, they wanted something fabulous. "And the most fabulous things we could think of were feathers and glitter," says Butcher. "We were going for a cross between a cabaret and a speakeasy, but classy. We wanted something interactive and boas were the perfect answer."

Festive accessories are often inexpensive, especially at party packagers and party supply stores, notes Gamble. A trip down the aisles at Dollarama or the party section at Zellers can also reap a motherlode of inexpensive decor and propping ideas, from faux jewelled tiaras to funky bangles to full-on silvery garlands and beads.

Gordon Espinet of M.A.C Cosmetics suggests "propping" the eyes by adding false eyelashes and -- for even more theatricality -- a dusting of glittery, pigmented powder over eyes, cheekbones and the cupid's bow of the lips. A feathered hair band like Holt Renfrew's -- this season's version of the tiara, according to Atkin-- will only add to the look.

"Outfitting our guests with props accounted for 10% of our budget," says Butcher. "But it made the event." And your guests can take them home with them at the end of the night. Instant parting gifts --and instant clean up.

Propping Your Party At Home

TRINA HENDRY ON GETTING IN THE SPIRIT - Set up an outdoor fireplace, for smokers or others who enjoy the great outdoors, and surround it with seating covered with faux shearling. - To keep guests warm around the fire, place a large basket filled with shawls and faux-fur throws by the door. - For a modern take on holiday decor, try chocolate brown and gold to create a rich and elegant colour theme. "One of the most fun, modern and surprisingly lovely things I've done is string white lights on my banister and intertwine them with chocolate brown feather boas, instead of a garland."

SHERI GAMBLE ON PROP TABLES - Set up a table right at the door so that your guests can start to play immediately. - Use something unexpected. Take a set of martini glasses, for example, and fill them with faux jewels, flashing LED rings and other fun props. - Fill glass jars or bowls with larger items, such as feather boas, tiaras, crowns, top hats and long, stretchy gloves.

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